Container for liquids with an openable pouring spout

ABSTRACT

In a container for liquids a sealed connecting edge strip is provided in the top of the container and the edge strip can be opened to form a pouring spout. The connecting edge strip is formed by a pair of edge strips sealed together along a connecting seam spaced inwardly from the free edges of the edge strips. To facilitate opening the spout, a cut is formed in the connecting edge strip from its free edge toward the connecting seam with the cut extending obliquely of the connecting seam. The cut can extend through one or both of the edge strips. In one embodiment a perforated line extends alongside the connecting seam in one of the edge strips on the opposite side of the connecting seam from the free edge of the edge strip. The pouring spout is openable along the perforated line by pulling up on the connecting strip from the location of the cut toward the end of the connecting strip which forms the end of the pouring spout. In a second embodiment the cut is formed through both of the edge strips and an additional perforated line is provided in the other edge strip commencing at the obliquely arranged cut. Further, in the second embodiment a cut line is provided in the outer surface of the one of the edge strips and it is spaced from and extends along the perforated line in that strip and, preferably, the cut line is located on the opposite side of the perforated line from the connecting seam.

United States Patent [191 Reil [ Mar. 19, 1974 CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDSWITH AN OPENABLE POURING SPOUT Wilhelm Reil, Bensheim-Auerbach, Germany[75] Inventor:

[22] Filed: Jan. 6, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 215,841

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 11, 1971 Germany 2100937Apr. 29, 1971 Germany 2121019 [52] US. Cl. 229/17 R, 229/7 R [51] Int.Cl. B65d 5/72, B65d 5/02 [58] Field of Search 229/17 R, 7 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,232,514 2/1966 Swede et a1229/17 R 3,347,444 10/1967 Rausing et a1. 229/17 R 2,097,647 11/1937Scott 229/7 R UX 2,305,631 12/1942 Moore 229/7 R UX 3.269.644 8/1966Bump 229/17 R 3,429,495 2/1969 McClosky 229/7 R 3,549,080 12/1970 Gill229/17 R 3,301,458 l/1967 Rausing et al. 229/7 R Primary Examiner-DavisT. Moorhead Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Toren & McGeady 5 7 ABSTRACT In acontainer for liquids a sealed connecting edge strip is provided in thetop of the container and the edge strip can be opened to form a pouringspout. The connecting edge strip is formed by a pair of edge stripssealed together along a connecting seam spaced inwardly from the freeedges of the edge strips. To facilitate opening the spout, a cut isformed in the connecting edge strip from its free edge toward theconnecting seam with the cut extending obliquely of the connecting seam.The cut can extend through one or both of the edge strips. In oneembodiment a perforated line extends alongside the connecting seam inone of the edge strips on the opposite side of the connecting seam fromthe free edge of the edge strip. The pouring spout is openable along theperforated line by pulling up on the connecting strip from the locationof the cut toward the end of the connecting strip which forms the end ofthe pouring spout. In a second embodiment the cut is formed through bothof the edge strips and an additional perforated line is provided in theother edge strip commencing at the obliquely arranged cut.

Further, in the second embodiment a out line is provided in the outersurface of the one of the edge strips and it is spaced from and extendsalong the perforated line in that strip and, preferably, the cut line islocated on the opposite side of the perforated line from the connectingseam.

16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures CONTAINER FOR LlQUlDS WITH AN OPENABLEPOURING SPOUT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directedto a container for liquids formed of cardboard and the like with asealed pouring spout formed in a connecting edge strip in the top of thecontainer and, more particularly, it is directed to an arrangement forfacilitating the opening of the pouring spout. Further, the invention isalso concerned with a method for forming, filling and sealing thecontainers.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a sealedpouring spout in a container for liquids, for example, for milk, whichcan be easily opened and also provides a compact arrangement forstorage.

Disposable or one-way containers have become increasingly popular in thepackaging industry. Milk and other liquid milk products are, at thepresent time, preferably sold in square cardboard containers, with someof the containers even partly sealed together for greater storability.The material, such as paper or cardboard, used for the containers iscoated on the inside with polyethylene. Generally speaking, a single cutfrom a band of the material is used for forming the container with thesingle cut section being folded so that one or a plurality of connectingseams are provided in the finished container. Where a polyethylenecoating is used in the containers the connecting seams are usuallyprovided as welded seams. Milk containers have been used in the pastwhich have a generally square configuration with a strong welded seamformed on the top side of the container. The seam can be raised foropening the container and it can be provided at one end close to an edgeof the top of the container with a per foration. Before opening thecontainer, the corners provided with the perforated lines must first beraised by tearing open along a top folding edge. Next each cardboardstrip must be torn off along the perforated line with the welded seam inthe cardboard strips being torn off without being opened. At times thetearing action is very difficult to effect. Further, carrying out theremoval of the two cardboard strips which define the welded seam andwhich strips are still connected together, presents some difficultiesand leads frequently to damage to the container or at least to thepouring spout. Another disadvantage of such known milk containers isthat they cannot be completely filled with milk, for if they are thecontents would overflow or spill out when the container is opened.

A number of other types of containers are also known for packaging milk.One such container coated with polyethylene is folded in the form ofaparallelepiped with a triangular shaped projection extending from thenarrow edges of one side, the projections or corners are bent around thefolding lines extending along the narrow edges and are attached to thenarrow side faces of the container. One of the folded over projectionsor corners forms the pouring spout for the container and must be openedin accordance with the printed instructions on the container. First thecorner is bent upwardly then the outer ends of the narrow edge whichform the folding line must be pressed so that the larger side faces ofthe container move toward one another. After these steps have beenperformed a perforated line can be noted, viewing the container from theside, which extends obliquely to the edges and permits the tip of theprojection or comer to be torn off. If the two cardboard layers formingthe projection are torn off from the remainder of the container alongthe perforated line. an opening is formed which tapers to a funnel inthe projection. as viewed from the top, and forms the pouring spout forthe container. This particular container construction has thedisadvantage that the tearing action along the perforated line requiresconsiderable effort and frequently results in the destruction of thecontainer or of the pouring spout and a certain amount of spillage ofthe liquid from the container is unavoidable.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a container, generallyof the above-mentioned types, which is particularly easy to open andovercomes the disadvantages experienced in known containers. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a method for forming thecontainers which is characterized by simple operations which do notrequire any major mechanical expenditures.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, a short cut orincision is provided in the connecting seam sealing the top of thecontainer, with a perforated line extending across the top alongside theconnecting seam. The perforated line extends at least along the lengthof the connecting seam which forms the pouring spout and is provided inthe material forming only one side of the top. Moreover, the connectingseam is provided in a connecting edge strip, formed of a pair of edgestrips, which can be lifted upwardly at the location of the cut forseparating the container top along the portion of the perforated lineextending for the length of the pouring spout. It can be appreciatedthat, since the perforated line is provided in a single thickness orlayer of the material forming the container, it is easier to effect theopening of the pouring spout than has been the case with known containerarrangements. This is particularly so due to the fact that theconnecting seam, in the case of a polyethylene coating, a welded seam,does not remain but is torn off in its entirety, that is it is removedduring the opening of the pouring spout. This arrangement is very simplefor a housewife to handle, because it requires the expenditure of littleeffort in effecting the opening of the pouring spout.

In accordance with the invention, the arrangement of the container issimplified by providing the perforated line for the full extent of theconnecting scam in the connecting edge strip on the top of thecontainer. Furthermore, the opening of the container is particularlyeffective if the cut formed in the connecting edge strip is provided inonly one of the edge strips which make up the connecting edge strip.Moreover, the arrangement of the cut is advantageous if it extendsobliquely to the connecting seam so that its inner end, that is the endspaced from the free edge of the connecting edge strip, is adjacent theinner end of the spout formed by the connecting edge strip. Tofacilitate the opening of the pouring spout, it is advantageous if theend of the cut into the connecting edge strip extends into the inner endof the spout. By means of the cut provided in the edge strip, theopening of the spout is facilitated and assures proper opening of thecontainer even if it is done carelessly.

The pouring spout is formed along a narrow edge on the top of thecontainer and has a triangular form which can be folded over along theedge against the side of the container and the outer end of thetriangular shaped projection forms the outer end of the spout. informing the top of the container to provide the opening, it isparticularly advantageous if two embossed lines are provided eachextending from the intersection of the cut with the connecting seam sothat they diverge outwardly to the opposite ends of the narrow edge ofthe container about which the outer end of the spout is folded. When theconnecting edge strip is torn off along the perforated line, at first anopen cut is provided in the top. The inner end of the cut within the topof the container forms the inner end of the spout while the outer end ofthe cut at the outer end of the connecting edge strip forms the outletfrom which the liquid flows. With the connecting edge strip removed, theouter end of the spout is pressed lightly and the cut opensautomatically into a diamond-like shape. The two embossed lines providedin the top facilitate the desired opening of the spout.

Opening of the container is further facilitated by the formation of theconnecting edge strip by two edge strips sealed together so that oneextends laterally outwardly beyond the other when they are folded overdown on the top of the container. By taking hold of the portion of theconnecting edge strip which extends laterally outwardly at a pointadjacent the cut in the strip, it is only necessary to pull up on thestrip and the desired opening action follows automatically.

A preferred feature of the invention is the formation of the containerin a parallelepiped form produced froma one-part cut. When folded, theone-part cut has three connecting seams and the container or carton iscoated on one side with polyethylene and the connecting seams arewelded. in the present arrangement the container can be completelyfilled with liquid, this is a feature which is not possible incontainers used up to the present time. The opening and formation of thepouring spout no longer results in a reduction in the volume ofthecontainer and, as a result, during opening leakage or overflow of theliquid is positively prevented. On the contrary, the special design ofthe pouring spout. in accordance with the present invention, affords anincreased volume in the container which can contain any liquid surgingfrom the container when the side walls are accidentally compressed sothat spillage can be prevented.

To assure that the coating applied on the inner surface of the containerdoes not tear above the perforated line when one of the edge stripsforming the connecting edge strip is removed, an additional perforatedline is provided in the other edge strip. With this arrangement thespout can be opened without any damage to the coating. With thisarrangement the cardboard strip can be torn off in an advantageousmanner and the seal closing the pouring spout is removed after thecomplete removal of the connecting edge strip. When the two edge stripsforming the connecting edge strip are gripped next to the cut and atearing action is provided, the connecting seam. which is a welded seamwhen a plastic coating or liner is used, is torn through. When theconnecting edge strip is removed, one of the edge strips forming ittears off along a perforated line and the other edge strip provides anadditional hold for the plastic liner on the cardboard since it sticksto the other edge strip during the opening action. This arrangementassures that the liner will tear at the desired location, that is alongthe perforated line in the edge strip.

An additional perforated line could be provided on the other side of andin parallel relationship with the connecting seam which would furtherfacilitate the opening action. With these provisions for assisting inthe opening of the container and in the commencement of the tearing ofthe liner in the container along the desired path, the production of thecontainers was found to be particularly favorable with regard to themachinery required. The means for applying the perforation are extremelysimple. Advantageously, the additional perforated line formed in theother edge strip of the connecting edge strip extends from the inner endof the incision along and in parallel relationship with the connectingseam and then bends outwardly toward the outer or free end of theconnecting edge strip. This additional perforation provides a tearingaid of about thumb width which in tests has been found to be sufficient.Accordingly, it has been possible to produce the additional perforatedline by means of a die in the container or carton folding machine. Thedesign and method of operation of such dies are well known and,therefore, do not form any part of the present invention. Moreover, theprovision of still another perforated line over the entire length of thetop of the carton parallel to the connecting seam could also be providedwithin the framework of the invention.

In liquid containers which are formed from a material coated on bothsides, the opening of the container can present difficulties because theplastic coat, after the initiation of the tearing operation, does nottear uniformly, especially along the perforated line which extends overthe length of the spout opening, rather the liner tends to fray alongthe length of the opening. However, the outer coating or liner is nottorn off along an edge but is displaced freely upwardly. Though a frayedspout opening need not always present a problem, it is desirable toavoid any possible sources of difficulty during the opening of thecontainer. To avoid any possible problems a cutting line whichpenetrates through the outer liner is arranged in the material formingthe edge strip in which the perforated line is provided and the cut lineextends in parallel with the perforated line. With this arrangement itis possible to ensure that the outer liner will also tear along a givenstraight line during the opening operation. it is particularlyadvantageous if the cut line which extends through the outer liner onthe container is located on the opposite side of the perforated linefrom the connecting seam. Accordingly, the inner liner can then be tornoff over the edge strip exerting a sort of shearing action without anyinterference from the outer liner. The application of such a cuttingline is extremely simple in the production and assembly of thecontainer. For example, rollers with disc blades, where the depth ofpenetration can be exactly determined, can be used in providing the cutline. With such apparatus it is possible to avoid any cutting actionthrough the material forming the base for the outer liner.

In the method of producing the containers, at length of the materialforming the container, such as cardboard, paper and the like is suppliedcontinuously with longitudinal folding lines and additional folding andor cutting lines being formed, next the connecting edges are securedtogether and cut, the container is filled with liquid, sealed andejected from the production line. The method, in accordance with thepresent invention, is characterized by providing a continuous perforatedline, extending in the direction of the longitudinal folding lines,along the portion of the material which forms the connecting edge stripacross the top of the container. Additionally. a cut is formed in atleast one of the edge strips forming the connecting edge strip acrossthe top of the container. The cut is formed obliquely to thelongitudinal direction of the material, that is, the direction ofmovement of the material from its source of supply. This method ischaracterized by its great simplicity. While it is extremely difficultto provide a section of material moving in a longitudinal direction withtransverse lines or transverse cuts, the introduction of longitudinallines is much easier and can be effected without any great mechanicalexpenditures. In the production of the perforated lines the processingof the material is particularly simplified by providing the perforatedlines in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the material can beperforated as it passes along smoothly and without any interruption.After the pouring spout has been formed, that is, after the containerhas been opened, the remainder of the perforated line on the top of thecontainer is not in the way. Even during the opening step itself, thefact that the perforated line extends in the opposite direction from thelocation of the cut to the direction in which the spout is opened itdoes not in any way hinder or affect the opening of the container. Dueto the oblique arrangement of the cut in the connecting edge strip, theopening is always effected in the proper direction and it is notpossible to accidentally open the container in the wrong direction.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the longitudinally extending foldinglines are formed eccentrically into the material as it is withdrawn fromits source of supply. In the production of known containers, the cut isprovided with the longitudinal lines and then is folded over in half.Then the other lines are formed and the connecting or welding seams areproduced. Cuts formed parallel to the connecting seams separateindividual partly filled containers from each other. It is not possiblefor one container side to project over the other. Such an arrangement ispossible only when the respective side is no longer cut. This feature isutilized according to the invention. The advantage of one sideprojecting over the other at the connecting seam facilitates thegripping of one of the edge strips forming the connecting edge strip forcarrying out the opening operation.

It is also advantageous if embossed lines are provided in the extensionof the cut or incision in the edge strip which forms the connecting edgestrip at the top of the container so that the embossed lines extend indiverging relationship to the next folding line in the cut. Thisoperation can be effected simultaneously with the making of the cutvFurther, the invention is characterized by great simplicity, so that ahighly uncomplicated and practical projection of containers of theabovementioned type can be performed.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention.its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a container formed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2a is a vertical section through the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2b is a top view of the container in FIG. 1 in its original closed,sealed condition;

FIG. 20 is a top view. similar to FIG. 2b. with the portion of thecontainer forming the pouring spout folded upwardly and outwardly fromthe side of the container;

FIG 2a is a view similar to FIG. 26 with a portion of the containerremoved which seals its pouring spout opening;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 2d with the pouring spout deformedinto an open position;

FIG. 2f is a side view of the container shown resting on one of itssides;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of a strip of material showing the variouslines formed in the material for forming the container;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a container illustrating another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional side view of the upper part of thecontainer shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the top of the container shown in FIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. I a container 1 is shownin perspective having a wide vertically extending side 2, a narrowvertically extending side 3 and a top side consisting of a first section4 and a second section 5. A pouring spout 6 is formed in the top of thecontainer extending along the upper edge 7 of the narrow side 3 of thecontainer 1. Along the opposite narrow edge at the top of the containera raised triangular corner projection 8 is indicated. The outer end 22of the spout 6 is provided in a triangular corner projection similar tothat shown in FIG. 2e.

In FIG. 3 a strip of the material from which the containers are formedis shown and the strip has six longitudinal fold lines 9-14 and aperforated line 15 extending generally in parallel relationship with thelongitudinal fold lines. An edge strip 16 extends along the secondsection 5 forming the top side of the container and the perforated line15 separates the second section from the edge strip. In the foldedarrangement of the container, the edge strip 16 overlaps the firstsection 4 by about 6 mm and, as can be seen in FIG. 2a, the edge strip116 is connected to the oppositely disposed first section 4 along aconnecting seam 17 so that the edge strip 16 projects outwardly orupwardly from the corresponding edge formed on the first section 4. Inthe edge strip 16 at regular intervals a cut or incision 18 is formedwhich extends obliquely of the longitudinal folding lines from the edgeof the strip of material inwardly toward the perforated line 15. On theextension of the cut 18 on the opposite side of the perforated line 15an embossed line 19 is provided and its corresponding embossed line 20(note FIG. 2e) is formed on the opposite side of the strip of materialas shown in FIG. 3. Further, in FIG. 22 the inner end 21 of the spout islocated adjacent the inner end of the cut 18 in the edge strip 16 whilethe outer end 22 of the spout is located at the outer end of the edgestrip 16. The edge strip 16 forms one side of the connecting edge stripformed by the connecting seam 17 which joins edge strip 16 to thelongitudinally extending edge of the first section 4 In forming thecontainers a continuous strip of the material is withdrawn from a supplysource and is directed toward the packing machine, not shown, andinitially is provided with longitudinal folding lines 914 and theperforated line and then the obliquely extending cut 18 is formed in theedge strip 16 and the corresponding embossed lines 19 and are alsoprovided. However, it would also be possible to provide the perforatedline in the machine which places the lining or coating on the material,such as the polyethylene lining, instead of forming the perforated lineas the strip of material passes toward the packing machine. In such anarrangement the strip would arrive from the supply source with theperforated line already formed. Furthermore, it should be noted that thelongitudinal folding line 12 which is known container arrangements islocated in the center of the strip, is arranged eccentrically as are theother longitudinal folding lines, in accordance with the invention. Thefolding line 12 forms the center line between the extreme left edge ofthe strip, as shown in FIG. 3, and the perforated line 15. The formationof such a strip of material is hardly more complicated than theproduction of the cut or section of material without the pouring spout,in accordance with the present invention.

The cut or section of the strip of material for forming a container isfolded along the folding line 12;, and it receives transverse foldinglines, not shown. along with the cut 18 and the additional embossedlines 19 and MI. The connecting seam 17 between the edge strip 16 andthe opposite edge of the first section 4 is welded between the foldingline 9, note FIG. 3, and the outer cutting line of the strip ofmaterial. The remaining steps in filling and sealing the container arethe same as in known methods, that is, the forward and bottom connectingseams, as seen in the direction of movement of the strip, is welded, thecontainer is filled with liquid and the remaining connecting seam at therear of the container as seen in its direction of motion is weldedclosed, so that the liquid is not firmly enclosed within the containerand any additional cutting or trimming steps can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 2a, in the folded and sealed container 1 the free edgeof the edge strip 16 projects outwardly from the other free edge stripformed by the edge of the first section 4 in the top of the container.

In FIG. 2a the finished container is shown in cross section while inFIG. 2b a top view is provided of the finished container. The outercorner or outer end 22 of the pouring spout is not visible in FIG. 2bbecause it is folded downwardly onto the narrow side 3 of the containerand it is folded upwardly, as shown in FIG. 20, when the container is tobe opened and the pouring spout formed. With the container in theposition shown in FIG. 2c. the edge strip 16 is gripped adjacent the cut18 and on the side thereof next to the embossed line 19 and by pullingup on the strip the container is opened along the perforated line 15from the location of the cut to the outer end of the connecting edgestrip located at the outer end 22 of the spout. Accordingly, thecontainer then assumes the appearance as set forth in FIG. 2d. At thispoint in the operation of opening the container a cut or opening linehas been provided along the perforated line 15, however. by exerting aslight pressure on the outer end 22, the spout can be opened into adiamond shape as shown in FIG. 2e. Accordingly, the portion of thecontainer to the right and left of the opening then moves slightlyupwardly about the embossed lines 19 and 20. Seen resting on its side,with its spout extending upwardly, the open container then appears as isrepresented in FIG. 2f.

In FIG. 1 a top view of another embodiment of a filled and sealedcontainer is shown illustrating the first section 4 and the secondsection 5 sealed together. As in the embodiment described above,embossed lines 19 and 2t) diverge from the inner end of the cut 18 tothe adjacent corners of the top of the container. Approximately in themiddle of the top of the container extending between the narrow sides isthe welded connecting seam 17 which secures the first section 4 and thesecond section 5 together. To avoid any projections which wouldinterfere with the storage and transportation of the containers, theedge strips 16 and 33 which form the connecting edge strip of thecontainer are bent or folded over onto the first section 4. Accordingly,in FIG. 4 the cut 18 extending through the edge strip 16 is clearlyseen. Below the edge strip 16 the other edge strip 33 is shown in brokenlines located to the right of the connecting seam 17. In the other edgestrip 33, shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, another perforated line 32 is providedwhich extends from the inner end of the cut ll?) in parallelrelationship with the welded connecting seam 17 for a distanceapproximating the width of a thumb and then the perforated line extendsoutwardly away from the connecting seam to the free edge of the edgestrip 33. As can be seen in the drawing, the outwardly extending portionof the perforated line 2 is in diverging relationship with the cut 18.When the two edge strips 16 and 33, which are welded together. arepulled upwardly, the portion defined by the perforated line 32 is tornaway from the remainder of the edge strip extending outwardly from thecut 18. Further, in the opening operation the edge strip 16 iscompletely torn off or separated from the second section 5 along theperforated line 15 in the direction of the outer end 22 of the pouringspout, the perforated line is shown as a continuous line on the leftside of the connecting seam 17 in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 5 the edge strips 16 and 33 are shown in the raised position ascompared to the folded down position shown in FIG. 4. Between the edgestrips is the welded connecting seam 17 which is located directly abovethe folding lines of the strips. In FIG. 6 a side view of the containeris shown with the edge strips in the raised position and the arrangementof the perforated line 32; can be clearly noted. As can be seen in FIG.6, the perforated line 32 is located above the connecting seam 17.Further, the edge strip 33 is narrower than edge strip 16 so that in theraised positions the strip 16 projects noiticeably above the strip 33.The cut 18 passes through both edge strips 16 and 33 and terminates at apoint just above the connecting seam 17, note FIG. ti, so that theintegrity of the seal in the container is maintained. The perforatedline 15 is not shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, a cut line 31 extends through the outer coat of thecontainer. This line can be positioned on either side of the perforatedline 15, that is, between the perforated line and the connecting seam oron the opposite side of the perforated line from the connecting seam.However, it has been found more expedient to provide it in the positionshown in FIG. 4.

For manufacturing reasons it is advantageous if the perforated line 32is provided along the entire length of the connecting seam instead offor only the short distance shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Furthermore, it isadvisable if, in addition, a cut is made through the plastic liner onthe side remaining on the container in order to facilitate the tearingaction. This cut also should be continuous.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A container for liquids formed of a material such as cardboard andthe like, said material having at least one impermeable surface, saidmaterial forming a first edge strip and a second edge strip extendingacross the top of the container and each having a free edge, said firstedge strip and said second edge strip sealed together along a connectingseam to form a connecting edge strip, said connecting edge strip and aportion of said material adjacent thereto form an openable pouring spoutfrom said container. a perforated line formed in said material adjacentto and in parallel relationship with said connecting seam, wherein theimprovement comprises that said connecting seam is spaced inwardly fromthe free edges of said first and second strips, a cut formed in saidconnecting edge strip and extending inwardly from the free edge of saidconnecting edge strip, said perforated line is formed in said materialalong one of said first and second edge strips of said connecting edgestrip for at least the portion of said connecting edge strip which formssaid spout and is located on the opposite side of said connecting seamfrom the free ends of said first and second edge strips forming saidconnecting edge strip, and said connecting edge strip arranged to begripped adjacent said cut for pulling up thereon and being capable ofseparating said first edge strip and said second edge strip along saidconnecting seam and opening along said perforated line for opening saidspout.

2. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the perforated lineextends along the full length of said connecting seam.

3. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cut in saidconnecting edge strip is provided in only one of said edge stripsthereof and extends obliquely to said connecting seam with its inner endspaced from the free edge of said edge strip located adjacent one end ofsaid pouring spout.

4. A container, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cut forms anobtuse angle with the portion of said connecting seam extending alongthe part of said connecting edge strip which combines to form saidpouring spout.

5. A container, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cut extends to theend of said pouring spout formed in the top of said container.

6. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top of saidcontainer having a rectangular shape with a pair of narrow sides and apair of wide sides, said pouring spout formed in one of the narrow sidesof the top of said container and having a triangular shaped projectionextending outwardly from said narrow edge so that the triangularprojection can be folded downwardly along the narrow edge against anarrow side of said container in the sealed condition and the apex ofsaid triangular projection spaced from said narrow edge forming theouter end of said pouring spout.

7. A container, as set forth in claim 3, wherein a pair of divergingembossed lines extending from the intersection of the prolongation ofsaid cut with said connecting seam and each extending toward a corner ofsaid container.

8. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said perforated line isformed in said first edge strip with said first edge strip extendinglaterally from said perforated line outwardly from said connecting seamso that said first edge strip projects laterally over said second edgestrip.

9. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said container in thesealed position can be opened along the perforated line extending alongsaid connecting seam.

10. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said container has aparallelepiped shape and is formed from a single section cut from saidmaterial.

11. A container, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said container hasthree connecting seams.

12. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the impermeablesurface on said material is provided by a liner coat of polyethyleneformed on one side thereof and said connecting seam is a welded seamformed by said polyethylene liner.

13. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said perforated lineis formed along said first edge strip, a second perforated line formedin said second edge strip, and said cut extending through both of saidfirst and second edge strips from the free edge thereof inwardly towardsaid connecting seam.

14. A container, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the top of saidcontainer having a first edge and a second edge extending transverselyof said connecting seam, the inner end of said cut is closer to saidfirst edge than the outer end of said cut located at the free edge ofsaid connecting edge strip, said second perforated line ex tending fromthe inner end of said out in parallel relationship with said connectingseam and in the direction of said first edge and for a distance lessthan the distance between the inner edge of said cut and said firstedge, and the end of said perforated line closer to said first edge isbent outwardly and extends to the free edge of said connecting strip.

15. A container, as set forth in claim 13, wherein a cut line is formedin the outer layer of said material forming the part of the top of saidcontainer on which said first edge strip is formed, and said cut lineextends in parallel relationship with said perforated line.

16. A container, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said cut line islocated on the opposite side of said perforated line from saidconnecting seam.

1. A container for liquids formed of a material such as cardboard andthe like, said material having at least one impermeable surface, saidmaterial forming a first edge strip and a second edge strip extendingacross the top of the container and each having a free edge, said firstedge strip and said second edge strip sealed together along a connectingseam to form a connecting edge strip, said connecting edge strip and aportion of said material adjacent thereto form an openable pouring spoutfrom said container, a perforated line formed in said material adjacentto and in parallel relationship with said connecting seam, wherein theimprovement comprises that said connecting seam is spaced inwardly fromthe free edges of said first and second strips, a cut formed in saidconnecting edge strip and extending inwardly from the free edge of saidconnecting edge strip, said pErforated line is formed in said materialalong one of said first and second edge strips of said connecting edgestrip for at least the portion of said connecting edge strip which formssaid spout and is located on the opposite side of said connecting seamfrom the free ends of said first and second edge strips forming saidconnecting edge strip, and said connecting edge strip arranged to begripped adjacent said cut for pulling up thereon and being capable ofseparating said first edge strip and said second edge strip along saidconnecting seam and opening along said perforated line for opening saidspout.
 2. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the perforatedline extends along the full length of said connecting seam.
 3. Acontainer, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cut in said connectingedge strip is provided in only one of said edge strips thereof andextends obliquely to said connecting seam with its inner end spaced fromthe free edge of said edge strip located adjacent one end of saidpouring spout.
 4. A container, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cutforms an obtuse angle with the portion of said connecting seam extendingalong the part of said connecting edge strip which combines to form saidpouring spout.
 5. A container, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cutextends to the end of said pouring spout formed in the top of saidcontainer.
 6. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top ofsaid container having a rectangular shape with a pair of narrow sidesand a pair of wide sides, said pouring spout formed in one of the narrowsides of the top of said container and having a triangular shapedprojection extending outwardly from said narrow edge so that thetriangular projection can be folded downwardly along the narrow edgeagainst a narrow side of said container in the sealed condition and theapex of said triangular projection spaced from said narrow edge formingthe outer end of said pouring spout.
 7. A container, as set forth inclaim 3, wherein a pair of diverging embossed lines extending from theintersection of the prolongation of said cut with said connecting seamand each extending toward a corner of said container.
 8. A container, asset forth in claim 1, wherein said perforated line is formed in saidfirst edge strip with said first edge strip extending laterally fromsaid perforated line outwardly from said connecting seam so that saidfirst edge strip projects laterally over said second edge strip.
 9. Acontainer, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said container in the sealedposition can be opened along the perforated line extending along saidconnecting seam.
 10. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidcontainer has a parallelepiped shape and is formed from a single sectioncut from said material.
 11. A container, as set forth in claim 10,wherein said container has three connecting seams.
 12. A container, asset forth in claim 1, wherein the impermeable surface on said materialis provided by a liner coat of polyethylene formed on one side thereofand said connecting seam is a welded seam formed by said polyethyleneliner.
 13. A container, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said perforatedline is formed along said first edge strip, a second perforated lineformed in said second edge strip, and said cut extending through both ofsaid first and second edge strips from the free edge thereof inwardlytoward said connecting seam.
 14. A container, as set forth in claim 13,wherein the top of said container having a first edge and a second edgeextending transversely of said connecting seam, the inner end of saidcut is closer to said first edge than the outer end of said cut locatedat the free edge of said connecting edge strip, said second perforatedline extending from the inner end of said cut in parallel relationshipwith said connecting seam and in the direction of said first edge andfor a distance less than the distance between the inner edge of said cutand said first eDge, and the end of said perforated line closer to saidfirst edge is bent outwardly and extends to the free edge of saidconnecting strip.
 15. A container, as set forth in claim 13, wherein acut line is formed in the outer layer of said material forming the partof the top of said container on which said first edge strip is formed,and said cut line extends in parallel relationship with said perforatedline.
 16. A container, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said cut lineis located on the opposite side of said perforated line from saidconnecting seam.